Moxie (and other words to love and live by)

Moxie, chutzpah, verve, spunk, vigor, zest.

It's no coincidence that many of my favorite words are synonyms for each other. These words have it all: They're fun to write, they're even more fun to say and hear, and they offer a good way to approach life and work.

Other words that delight include the following: dash, noodle, nosh, schmaltzy, hoopla, noob (if you're gonna be a noob, just go at it with some moxie and you'll be fine), spoonerism (transposing sounds in wair of pords), woozy, and frolic (anytime you can frolic, I say go for it).

The ones I'm not especially fond of include chunk (and by extension, chunky and chunkster); stew; moist; plop; snout; and all words that describe the act or the end product of vomiting.

Plop a moist pig snout in my chunky stew. Go ahead, say it out loud. I dare you. I just did. Now I'm going to go blow chunks.

Any delightful/repulsive words you want to add to list?

Save the Apostrophe!

As you know, the war on the apostrophe in Britain has forced many innocent apostrophes into hiding. As a result of a dwindling population, the Society for Prevention of Cruelty to the English Language (SPoCttEL) declared the apostrophe an endangered species in 2008.

Lab studies show that this sharp decline disrupts the fragile balance of the English language. If ignored, the apostrophe will be extinct by 2020. Grammarians predict a subsequent breakdown of the entire language structure.

SPoCttEL has formed a coalition with concerned speakers, readers and writers of America to prevent the same fate here while there is still time.

With your help, the pro-apostrophe campaign can make a difference.

This disturbing image shows the apostrophe blatantly missing from its natural habitat (between the h and the s on healths).

Missing apostrophes such as these are forced into dangerous territory in such plural words as pea's, carrot's, shoe's and water's. There, they disrupt the homeostasis of the environment before withering and dying.

What can you do?

We at SPoCttEL encourage concerned citizens to save such apostrophes from certain death and reintroduce them into their natural habitats. Spread the word--be a voice for the voiceless!

Please do your part in protecting the apostrophe--for the children.

Take action today, for apostrophe's sake.

Content sharing: get your voice heard

Dan Zarrella spent two years collecting and analyzing data and put together his best practices for the best days and times for tweeting, facebook posting, blog posts, emails, etc.

Frontline Ink will be using this information to increase value for our clients' blog posts, e-newsletters, tweets and more.

See some of the highlights below or listen to the complete webinar here.

Dan opens with a concept called "contra-competitive timing,” which basically says that when the noise dies down, your voice is more likely to be heard.

Twitter:

• Most re-tweetable hours are between 2 p.m. and 5 p.m.
• Click-through rates are highest on Saturdays and Sunday, and lowest on Mondays and Thursdays
• Tweet content frequently, just use varying language. For example, tweet the title, then use a pull quote, then tweet with a new pull quote. But...
  
• When you're sharing your own info, give some time between tweets

Facebook

• Weekends are best for Facebook sharing

Email

• Open rates are higher on weekends and early mornings
  
• Click-through rates are higher on weekends

Blogging

• Know your audience: men are more likely to read at night, and women are more likely to read in the morning
• People are more likely to read your blog during the week, but more likely to post on Facebook on the weekend
• Posts that go up around 10 a.m. or 11 a.m. get the most views, but comments spike on weekends
• Links (which help SEO) tend to be highest on Monday and Thursdays
• To increase links, publish early in the morning
• Blog a ton! The more you blog, the more views you get

It's All Well and Good

This ad demonstrates a common error with well and good. Good is an adjective and adjectives are used to describe nouns. Well is an adverb and is used to modify a verb.

In case I lost you with the parts of speech talk, think of it this way: you can have a good thing (noun) but an action (verb) is done well.

I slept (verb) well.
I had a good sleep (noun).

I am doing (verb) well today.
I had a good day (noun).

But the question I know you're really asking is if those suspendease they're advertising actually work "good" and well, I just don't know.

Spelling Tips

If you're in need of a little humbling, take this quiz on 25 commonly misspelled words.

Then, if you find out you need a little help, check out these spelling tips from a former spelling champion.

Out of Meet

Often, I discuss commonly confused words--words that have multiple spellings or meanings that are used incorrectly. I hesitate to call this one "common" though, so we'll just stick with confused.

If Grammar Were a Bear

I hear it all the time: "Grammar is such a bear!"

Now, if grammar actually were a bear, he wouldn't be an intimidating beast to be feared, or alas--hated. He'd be a Smokey-the-Bear type with a brown hat, fuzzy fur and retracted claws. He'd bear frequent slips in informal communication with patience and tip his hat to the most refined speakers and the slang users alike. He'd offer to bear the grammatical burden of his friend if the load got too heavy.

And occasionally, he'd step in to correct commonly confused words, thereby preventing language fires. So if Mike Boyd and Tex Stuart (of the above article) did "bear all in the name of entrepreneurial inspiration," he'd applaud their endurance. But if they did in fact, bare all, he'd gently request that they refrain.

Thank you, Jill, for the contribution.

Commonly Confused Words: It's versus Its

All right, blog followers, let's discuss one of the more confusing (and yet still simple) nuances of the English language: the difference between its and it's.

I understand where the confusion comes from. It seems counter intuitive that the dog chews its bone (not it's bone) since we've always been taught that the apostrophe indicates ownership. Isn't it the dog's bone? I hear ya, believe me, but trust your geeky friend on this one and go with this rule:

it is=it's
it has= it's


Use its for everything else. That's all there is to it.

So for the quote above, do you see the problem? It got it's right the second time, but the first its should be it's too.

Grammar Wall of Shame: Per cent or Percent?

There are several percentages here. But if we follow their pattern, there are several per cent ages. Yikes.

I'm pretty sure the average reader on ZDNet is as fluent in HTML code as I am in English, so I'm going to give them a break on this one. They can stick with computer geekiness and I'll stick with language geekiness.

Note--geekiness is technically not a word but one of my favorite rules of language is that when you know the rules, you can break them for stylistic reasons. Plus, it gets me off the hook when I make mistakes. Always a plus.

Note two--I used the Paint program for the first time for the photo included here. Shazam! Watch out, ZDNet!

8 Miles Every Day (everyday error)

A headline in this video says "Over 34 Years, 8 Miles Everyday."

And then this one: I see this mistake all the time (every day, it seems). Yes, it's an everyday occurrence. So I'll tell you the rule here again:

If you can substitute each day then it should be two words.
--Please use this word correctly every day.

*If it modifies a noun, it should be one word.
Join this campaign of everyday people and use these words correctly.
I know I'm only one woman, but I believe that everyday folks can make a difference.

Scrutiny (skrōōt'n-ē): the act of examining something closely

So I was reading CNN this morning...scutinizing it, you might say, when I came across a story with an ironic grammatical gem: "Drew Peterson found himself under media and police scutiny after..."

Though no definition for scutiny can be found at dictionary.com, one definition for scrutiny is "the act of examining something closely (as for mistakes)."

Despite many strongly-worded petitions, there is still not a law on the books against grammatical errors in mainstream news outlets, so we'll let the police off the hook on this one. I do hope, however, that the media scrutiny into this case was a bit more rigorous than the effort that went into spell checking this caption.

"Hash browns" anyone?

I have to agree with Roboto when he expresses his hesitance to "try" the "hash browns."

Roboto submitted this photo in response to "Crazy" Quotations.

Flash 55: Playing Possum

Flash 55s are fun fiction pieces in exactly 55 words. To join in the fun (and it is fun), visit Mr. Knowitall. This week's is called Playing Possum:

He sat. I paced. She scolded.

“You shot a possum at point-blank range in the garage?” she said, not knowing yet that I had encouraged the pursuit.

“It seemed like a good idea,” our 14-year-old shrugged.

“To both of us,” I said, taking the hose and shovel from her hands, “You didn’t see his teeth.”

Newsletter Top Ten

Here are my top ten reasons for small businesses to send a regular newsletter:

1. Customer Retention: Regular newsletters help keep your business top of mind and remind clients that you are an expert in your industry.

2. Establishing Credibility: Well-written and relevant newsletters help establish your credibility. An article on American Express discusses the benefits of becoming recognized as a thought leader in your industry and the many opportunities for secondary revenue that result.

3. Secondary Revenue Source: Once you've established credibility, a paid newsletter version with premium content and tips can become a source of revenue in itself.

4. Build Your Brand: Whether you want to take a technical approach or have a more lighthearted tone, newsletters help establish your brand. One of our clients, a production company offering a wide array of creative services, sends a "Totally Useless Newsletter" each month, establishing the company as fun and edgy.

By taking this approach, the newsletter has high click through rates and receives positive feedback from recipients who appreciate the break the newsletter provides. Along with "useless" content, the newsletter also highlights current projects and company updates.

5. Expand Your Network: Your contacts will forward relevant content to their network, increasing your reach.

6. Lead Generation: When your contacts forward your newsletter, new recipients become aware of your product and may sign up to receive your newsletter, or better, discover that they need what you offer.

7. Increased Business with Existing Clients: With a little luck, your client will receive your newsletter just when they're thinking of a need you can fill.

8. Affordability: With email distribution services like Constant Contact, newsletters are an affordable marketing tool and vehicle for information distribution.

9. Tracking: Such Email programs also provide click-through and open rates, helping you see what information your clients find most valuable so that you can tailor future communication to their needs and desires.

10. Added Value: By providing expertise and tips, your product or company becomes that much more valuable to your clients.
A warning: Keep in mind that a poorly written newsletter or one with an unappealing design is worse than no newsletter at all. Clients are quick to judge based on what they see alone so if your newsletter (or website, logo, etc.) doesn't appear credible, or if your content is filled with grammatical errors, you could do more harm than good.

Annie Cooper: Remembering the woman who put a face on police brutality in the Civil Rights Movement.

Though Ms. Annie Cooper grew up in a system that honored skin color above character, her parents worked hard to provide for her and her 10 siblings.

As a wife and mother, Ms. Cooper had already experienced a full life before she put a face on police brutality in Selma, traveling and working as a nurse.

When she heard about the nonviolent effort to gain voting rights, Ms. Cooper set her course towards justice. She attended mass meetings and stood in voter registration lines. For that, she lost her job. For that, her family’s lives were threatened. And for that, she was beaten.

On Jan 25, 1965, four Selma police, including Sheriff Jim Clark, beat 53-year-old Annie, who was unarmed, after she punched the sheriff. One blow to her head was so severe that it continued to cause health problems long after the beating. Ms. Cooper went to jail that night and was left untreated. When she finally reached the hospital, the only care she received was a bandage to cover the gash.
 

Ms. Cooper didn’t know that the photos of police brutality would be printed in the New York Times. She didn’t know that they would spark outrage and thus, support, from across the nation or that the support would lead to the passing of the Voter Registration Act of 1965.

And she didn’t know that one day she’d be living on a street that bears her name.

Ms. Cooper, a true foot soldier of the Civil Rights Movement, didn’t fight for recognition. She fought to change the world.

And she did.



Note: Annie Cooper died today. I am so grateful for her contribution to the movement and honored to have met and interviewed her.

Excepting Business Cards

Let's just start at the very beginning--commonly confused words.

Accept is to take or receive something (as in, business cards).

Except means with the exception of or excluding. So this would mean they are excluding business cards. And maybe accepting everything else?

The good thing about the English language (or maybe the credit belongs to the human brain) is that we can get the point even when grammar isn't perfect. This is an amazing example of how true that is.

Life is...

Advice from a Four-Year-Old

Four-year-old: "I gotta pee and I ain't gonna do it."

Mom: "Why not? That doesn't seem very comfortable."

Four-year-old: "When I'm here, I wanna run around and play. I don't want to miss anything!"

Here's another potty-related laugh, courtesy of Far Side.

Smoke Sausage

I just want to know how they get the smoke to stay in the shape of a sausage.

Feed Um

Um?

Friday Flash 55: Priorities

Well, yesterday I found out that I write like Mario Puzo (the man behind the Godfather). So I decided to try my hand at mob fiction. All of the dialogue below comes straight from the Godfather movies. To join in the Flash 55 fun (and it is fun), visit Mr. Knowitall.

"The boss says he'll come in a separate car. He says for you to go on ahead," said Willi.

Tom dropped his fork, "That is out of the question."

Willi's eyes flickered like the Ristorante de Pucinella sign outside, "It's just business."

Tom passed Carol the keys and whispered, "Leave the gun. Take the cannoli."

I Write Like

Mario Puzo, apparently.

The site analyzes your writing based on word choice and style.

It's fun. As for accurate, I really don't know. Puzo wrote The Godfather, which I've neither seen nor read.

Maybe tomorrow's 55 will be mob-themed.

I write like
Mario Puzo

I Write Like by Mémoires, Mac journal software. Analyze your writing!

Perspective

I met a woman at the bank today. Her left leg was missing from the knee down, her left hand was immobile, and her head was permanently tilted at an angle that seemed like a recipe for constant neck pain. She was interested in everyone around her, learning their names and comparing accents.

Before she left, she told me a bit of her story. She was nearly 50 and had an automobile accident when she was 17 and she had some advice for me. I didn't hear a bit of self-pity in her words, just a desire that I would benefit from her experience.

She said, "You can clap with both hands, drive a car, and hug someone's neck with both arms. Don't take a bit of that for granted."

Commonly Confused Words--Persecute versus Prosecute

There are a number of problems with this sign, but we're just going to focus on the part that says that anyone caught throwing trash in or digging inside"will be persecuted."

I see this one often. Persecution and prosecution are very different things.

To persecute: 1. to pursue with harassing or oppressive treatment, esp. because of religion, race, or beliefs; harass persistently.

The Bible offers examples of proper usage of this word. For example, Matthew 5:44 says, "But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you."

To prosecute: 1.. to institute legal proceedings against (a person).

Prosecute would have been the appropriate word for the sign, since the writer intended to say that violators would be subject to appropriate legal proceedings rather than subject to "harassing or oppressive treatment" due to their "religion, race, or beliefs."

Just another grammar lesson on commonly confused words.

Both definitions from Dictionary.com.

Life's Cycle (according to a three-year-old)

A direct quote: "First you're a baby, then you're a kid, then you're a grown-up, and then you're fat."

Robin Hood

Despite the title of yesterday's post, I have to admit that, in an odd way, the stranger next to me enhanced my experience rather than detracting from it.

Maybe that's because the movie was exactly what you'd expect from a flick called Robin Hood with Russell Crowe as the lead. It was packed with fight scenes and overt manliness, then softened by a pretty lady, who happened to be quite the fighter herself. In short, it was very Russell Crowe-y.

So I didn't really feel like I was missing anything groundbreaking even when my neighbor leaned over and said, "See what's happening now is..."

So, thank you, fake Englishman, for a truly interesting cinematic experience.

Cinematic Torture

I saw Robin Hood tonight and sat next to a guy who was alone. As soon as I sat, he offered me popcorn, but it didn't stop there. He also explained key plot points and read everything that came on screen (city names, intro paragraphs, etc.) aloud.

He also hummed along to the soundtrack and told jokes. For example, when the city name Hampton came on screen, he said, "The only Hampton I know is the Hampton Inn."

And he did it all in a fake British accent.

A bad one.

Flash Fiction Friday--Snow Cone Stand

I'm back with a Flash Friday 55:

Ginny dropped two quarters into her apron pocket and said, “Hey girl!” as Julie approached.

Julie’s pigtails and shoelaces flapped with each step, “Hey! One rainbow snow cone with extra syrup.”

“Seventy-five cents, please.”

“Even for me?” Julie asked.

Ginny tapped the sign—extra syrup, 25 cents— and said, “I’ve got a business to run.”

Flash Fiction Friday 55: Summer Camp

I missed last week. And I was on such a roll, too. But I'm back with a summer-themed ditty this week. Here goes:

Some things were given—songs around the campfire, sand in her shoes, and carpet ball. But would she make a lanyard keychain or a sand-filled bottle? Swim or hike? Eat grilled cheese or pizza? Would her cabin earn teepee privileges? Julie fastened her Velcro sneakers tight, linked arms with her new BFF and skipped outside.

Flash Fiction Friday 55: A Day in the Life of a Sportscaster

Another Friday, another Flash 55. Thanks for giving me something to blog on consistently, G-man! I love it. The idea is to write a story in exactly 55 words (thank goodness for long titles!). Head over to Mr.Knowitall's place to join in. Here's this week's:

Drew chuckled at the newest addition to his wall of fame. Along with the usual profanities, the email read, "Even my dog hates your voice!"

"What'd you do this time?" Drew's producer asked.

"Predicted Kansas would lose before March madness hit full swing."

Drew posted the email and stepped back. He'd soon need another wall.